November 17, 2014

Conversation: Examining China's Presence in Afghanistan and Pakistan

The United States
welcomed China's growing role in trying to ensure Afghanistan's
stability on Thursday, saying a Beijing conference of foreign ministers
on Afghan reconstruction this week shows its commitment to the region as
Western troops pull out.

The comments, made by a
senior State Department official, are rare U.S. praise for Beijing,
which this week hosts Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on his first visit
abroad since assuming office in September.

"China's view of engaging in
Afghanistan over the course of these past few years has really changed
significantly, and in our view, in a very positive direction," the
official told reporters during a telephone briefing.

On
Friday, foreign ministers from Asian and Central Asian countries will
gather in Beijing for a fourth round "Istanbul Process" conference on
Afghanistan, which China hopes will help boost development and security
there. White House counsellor John Podesta will attend the meeting.
"It's
a real demonstration of China's commitment to Afghanistan, to its role
in the region and one that we greatly welcome," the official said.

That is why China’s recent offer to
facilitate a dialogue seeking peace and political reconciliation between
the Afghan government and the Taliban ought not to be thought of as a
diplomatic punt, or dismissed out of hand as such. China is not a
country that tends to thrust itself into complicated diplomatic
situations as an arbiter. It would not have become involved unless the
key players had asked it to, and assured it that they would act in good faith.

The
origin of the idea is a mystery, but Afghanistan’s new president,
Ashraf Ghani, set the diplomatic ball rolling in September by asking
Saudi Arabia and then China to facilitate a reconciliation with
Pakistan.

He acted intelligently by engaging couriers who are
close allies of Pakistan. That sparked a parade of Pakistani officials
to and from Kabul, with the powerful Pakistan military assuming the lead
role in the bilateral re-engagement – a necessary demonstration of
political will. As the international lead actor in Afghanistan, the US,
too, has signalled its approval through secretary of state John Kerry.

The
intense diplomatic activity culminated in Mr Ghani’s state visit to
Islamabad on Friday and Saturday, and an agreement to work together to
resolve their bilateral disputes and prevent an implosion in Afghanistan
by politically engaging the Taliban.

That’s where China comes in. Its ambitions in Afghanistan are limited,
clearly stated and rooted in its desire for stability on its western
borders. As such, China has never been part of the problem, and is seen
as neutral.